The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-02-05

Inc person VINO r0ugnt tne h0rQ ngnt 70
wrest Ohio from the wilderness and its native
savages were not all trained warriors or snga-
cious statesmen. No one played n more i'm
portant part in the very early history Of the
territory than John Gott!ieb Heckewelder, the
Moraviau missionary, who was civilizing the
Indians in Eastern Ohio long before tho colonies
had achieved independence. Heclsewelder was
not in the Continental armies, but he was
undergoing hardships that rvaed those Of the
soldiers, and 1t is matter of history that his
influence with the Indians became great that
he was able to prevent them from harassing
the frontier settlements, as the British ut De-
troit were cheerfully urging them to do. His
influence with the Indians caused him to be
captured and dragged to Detroit upon one oc-
casion, where he was tried for being o spy, and
had narrow escape from death.
Heckewelder made u study of the Indians.
and Of their language, and did good deal OF
translating for them. and when General Putnam
came to Ohio in 1888, he found that the most
thoroughly well informed and useful man in the
whole West was the Moravinn missionary.
Heckewelder has written IAN Account Of the
History, Manners and Customs OF the Indian
Nations who once inhabited the Pennsylvania
and Neighboring States" that is almost classic
in its way. He was well fitted for his work.
Born in Bedford, England, in 1913, he was In his
eleventh year brought by his parents who were
leaders among the Moravians. to Bethlehem, Pa
In the spring of 17a! he was called to accompany
the wcll-known Christian Frederick Post to es-
tablish mission among the Indian tribes on the
branches OF tho Muskingum river. Here on the
Tuscarawas fork Post had built cabin in l7G1
near the site OF the town OF Bolivar, and ut this
point, with his eager young assistant. the daunt-
less missionary began the work of preaching
the Gospel TO the Indians. But the time was
not favorable one, and the actions Of the In
dians indicated speedy resumption Of hostili-
ties, so the enterprise was Abandoned within a
few months and Heckewelder returned to Beth
lehem, but his eyes had caught glimpse OF the
field and the work that was to occupy his life
In the summer OF 1771 he entered upon his
actual career rs an evangelist to the Indians,
sharing the wavering fortunes OF the Moravian
mission for period OF fifteen years.
Tho famous missionary David Zeisberger,
whose papers have just been published by his
torical society at Cincinnati, had just estab-
lished mission In the valley OF tho Mus.
kingum. and Heckcweldcr was made his
assistant Near the point which they had
chosen weBe built In succession Schonbrun,
Gnadenhutten, Lichtenau and Salem, flourish
ing towns Of Moravian Indians, and here Heck
ewelder was laboring with great success when
the Revolution commenced.
After Heckewelder's return from the enforced
visit to Detroit that has been mentioned, he
made settlement on the Cuyahogn near Clcve-
land, and 1t was here that he closed his mission
airy labors, and years memorable in his life, in
tuc oouroc VI WHICH Hc says Hc WIS IN Journey
ings often, in perils OF water, In peris OF rob-
bers, in pcrils of his countrymen, in pcrils by
the heather, In perils In the wilderness, in wea-
| riness, in watchings Often In hunger and thirst,
in fastngs often, in cold and nalsedncss."
In the summer OF 17a, Heckewelder was as
socated by the Government with General Ru.
fus Putnam (at Putnam's request), TO treat
for peace with the Indians OF the Wabash md
they Travelled on this mission as far rs Post
Vincennes, where articles OF peace were for
mally signed by thirty Chiefs OF the Seven
Nations represented Mt the conference. This
association with General Putnam for the nego.
tiation OF a treaty so important In its results
was a high testimonial OF confidence IN the
missionary's knowledge OF Indian life and
government. In the following spring he was
again commissioned 10 assist at n conference In
which the Government wished to make treaty
with the Indians OF the Lake tribes. The other
| commissioners were General benjamin Lincoln,
Colonel Timothy Pickering ind Beverly Ran
dolph.
In the interval between 1907 and 1900 he visited
| Ohio four times, and In 1901 removed with his
family TO Gnadhutten,on on the Tuscarawas branch
OF the Muskingum. Here he remained nine
| years, being intrusted with the superintendent
| OF twelve thousand acres OF land that was owned
| by religious society, granted II by Congress
| for the benefit OF the Moravian Indians as u con
| sideration for the losses they incurred during
| the Revolution. While he was In Ohio this time
Heckewelder wns justice OF the peace, ,postmas
ter and an associate Judge OF the court Of com
mon pleas.
He returned to Bethlehem In 1870 and built q
house which Is still standing, He died In 1929
sged seventy-nine years.
Tue hrst white child born in Ohio was Johsn